BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Gary Edward Swackhamer, 49, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Southeast Georgia Health Systems Brunswick Campus. Gary grew up in Towaco, N.J., and attended Colorado Aerotech Aviation School, Broomfield, Colo. He was mechanically inclined and was passionate about aviation, a field he worked in for more than 20 years in Atlanta, Ga., and Nashville, Tenn., before moving to Brunswick, Ga., to proudly work for Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Gary was a unique individual, who adored his wife and family, and always found time to spend with them. He was a wonderful husband, loving son, great brother and loyal friend, and we will miss him. He was compassionate, intelligent, determined and witty. Being mechanically minded from a young age, he was known for his “tweaking” of anything from lawn mowers to bicycles and eventually, motorcycles, cars and planes. He enjoyed fishing with his best friend, Steve, playing golf, motorcycles, attending NASCAR races, and photography. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Sarah Jean Swackhamer; and his father-in-law, Donald Ruff. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Geralyn “Geri” Ruff Swackhamer of Brunswick, Ga.; his mother, Jean Moffet and Harold Sturtevant of Montville, N.J.; his father, Frank Swackhamer and Carol of The Villages, Fla.; two sisters, Linda Swackhamer and Kenneth Croatman of Boonton Township, N.J., and Robin LeVasseur and Roger Merchant of Old Town; a niece, Rene LeVasseur, also of Old Town; his mother-in-law, Lois Ruff of Ridgefield Park, N.J.; three sisters-in-law, Diane Hardy of Chicago, Jeannie Hendrix of Pennsylvania and Margaret Ruff of Ridgefield Park, N.J.; two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Ruff and Tommy Ruff, both of Ridgefield Park, N.J.; and special friends, Steve and Terri Stuart of Brunswick, Ga. A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. www. georgiaseaturtlecenter.org or the American Cancer Society, Glynn County Unit, P.O. Box 1040, Brunswick, GA 31521. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To view Gary’s pictures and sign the guest book, please visit www.mem.com.
GARY SWACKHAMER
